With so many race tracks in NSW it can be a difficult comparing a race from one venue to another but the use of the benchmark ratings can be an important tool to line the strength of one field against another.
The Rod Hilton-trained Elegies and the Justin Blanch-trained Play My Hand are both coming off recent victories on Northern NSW tracks and look the two main chances in the Become a Member of Armidale Jockey Club Class Three Handicap (1900m).
Elegies won a benchmark 55 handicap at Tamworth on July 31 before finishing out of the placings in metropolitan Saturday grade at Doomben last time out whilst Play My Hand is a last-start winner of a benchmark 55 handicap at Coffs Harbour on August 17.
Elegies won the Tamworth race by a length with the combined field having an average benchmark rating of 53.21 and a median rating of 53.5 whilst despite contesting the same grade of race Play My Hand comes out of a race with an average rating of 47.69 and a median rating of 45.
Elegies carried 59kg at Tamworth and drops to 58kg on Monday whilst Play My Hand stays on 54kg.
These figures clearly indicate that Elegies should have the edge on Play My Hand.
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The benchmark rating field strength figures are not the be all and end all of form analysis but they are certainly an excellent starting point when trying to compare the recent form of horses when different form lines clash.
H ear Greg Polson's full assessment of Armidale on RSN when he previews the meeting at approximately 10.30am.
Greg uses sectional times provided by Vince Accardi and the team from dailysectionals.com.au